Pakistan is set to host mediation talks between Iran and the US soon, confirmed Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said on Sunday, and held talks with top diplomats from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.
The talks were held as Iran warned the US against launching a ground attack, and global oil prices surged amid continued fighting between Iran, the US, and Israel.
While Dar did not specify whether the talks would be direct or indirect, or when they might be held, and where, he noted that they will take place “in the coming days”.
Neither the US nor Iran issued any immediate comments post the Pakistani FM’s claims.
“Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the U.S. have expressed their confidence in Pakistan’s facilitation” of the talks, which will happen in the “coming days,” Dar said in a televised speech.
After meeting with the diplomats, Dar claimed that they have actively endorsed Pakistan’s efforts at mediating, and appealed to Islamabad to create conditions for holding structured negotiations between the parties involved, Dar said, advocating for diplomacy as the only viable path to reach peace amid the rising hostilities, reports Bloomberg.
Islamabad has “remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives in bringing this conflict to an end,” Dar continued, adding “We have remained actively engaged with the US leadership as well in our efforts to de-escalate the situation and finding a solution to the conflict.”
Pakistan’s foreign ministry on Monday said the ministers had left Islamabad after concluding the “quadrilateral moot”, which Dar said was followed by “very productive” separate bilateral meetings with each minister.
Emerging as a key mediator, Pakistan is one of the few nations which shares diplomatically good ties with both Washington and Tehran, with officials in Islamabad saying that their public efforts come after holding weeks of “quiet diplomacy,” though so far neither Iran nor the US has shown much willingness to hold talks.
President Donald Trump has sent mixed messages so far, regarding diplomacy and how much Washington is earnest about its efforts in holding talks, for while he has actively appealed for holding talks with the leadership in the Islamic Republic, he has also simultaneously warned of the US military’s preparations in preparing an all-out bombing campaign, and has even threatened to launch a full on ground offensive he very same statements he preparing to escalate the US bombing campaign.
Further upping the ante of military posturing, the White House has sent thousands of additional US troops into the region, and an entire new naval attack group, including an amphibious assault ship and fighter jets.
